Even still, the filmmaker runs into issues when it comes to things like basic shot selection. There are times when Brad seems to appear out of nowhere only to discreetly point a gun at the back of someone’s head. The barrel of a gun slowly creeping in from screen right or screen left makes for a great visual, but there must be some spatial context as to how the person holding the gun got to where they are; otherwise, unnecessary questions arise. Also, some shots seem to either be obvious inserts or are poorly handled with mismatched lighting. Towards the end, Brad is holding a gun to the back of someone’s head (naturally). In the two-shot, the lighting is bright, and the scene is clearly lit. However, the close-up of Brad’s face is suddenly in almost total darkness, like something out of a gritty 1970s crime drama.
On the flip side, however, Vengeance is My Name has a lot of fun with its characters, and the talented cast has equal fun bringing them to life. There’s Squints (John Kloppenborg), the chubby hitman who is taking college classes in creative writing; Nicky (Shawn McAninch), the lead hitman who has a fondness for Barry Manilow; and Courtney/Calvin (played by an uncredited actor) who tortures people while eating chips. Tarantino would love that!
“…has a lot of fun with its characters…”
In Criftofono, Moreno has found an actor with the cocksure attitude of George Clooney, the chiseled perma-sweaty features of Jason Patric, and the twinkle of a younger Mark Wahlberg. Where has he been hiding? His macho swagger, while sometimes stiff, is all business, and he easily convinces as a badass cop whether roughing up toughs with his fists or being horrifically waterboarded in captivity. No to sound like too much of a stan, but Cristofono has “it.” Furthermore, no one this side of Stallone wears a V-neck better!
Vengeance is My Name isn’t a perfect film, but it is a well-cast and entertaining contribution to the undercover crime subgenre. The movie has enough grit, quirk, and is peppered with beautiful moments to elevate it to a level above the standard Pulp Fiction wannabe. Plus, despite its shortcomings, Moreno takes great care with his cinematography, and quite a few of his images are simply breathtaking, almost ethereal in their composition.
"…a level above the standard Pulp Fiction wannabe."
